Category Archives: Troops

Advisers

IraqAdvisor.jpg

The probable greatly-expanded future of the American military mission in Iraq, the advisery effort–photo explained in this in-house report from Central Command–is what was tried in South Vietnam, in a sort of half-assed way in the beginning, but with much more committment towards the end, and it was making a difference when Congress cut the last check. It ain’t easy, but it has the virtue of marrying light infantry to all that technology of ours, similar to what we did in the beginning in Afghanistan, but cheaper because no special operators are required.

Army Strong

Blackfive reminds that the new Army recruiting campaign, with its stirring video, begins tonight at 7 p.m. CST on most television networks. Ironic timing, though, given the new peace-at-any-price makeup of the Congress. Also Blackfive’s nice Rummy memorial/celebration.

UPDATE  Even before the video aired, the Army made its new recruit goals for October, and had no trouble with re-enlistments: "Re-enlistments in October far surpassed the goals for the active army (30 percent), the reserve (14 percent) and the national guard (43 percent)."

Copperheads win

Get out your American history book to figure out the headline. Let’s just say, in 19th century Southern American vernacular, the war on terrorism could be about to go up the spout. Appeasement of dictators, group hugs and singing kumbaya with the French and the EU could soon be the order of the day.

"Okay, the House has flipped. How about the Senate? We seem to be moving into darker territory with every quarter-hour."

And impeachment–don’t let’s forget impeachment. The Democrats sure won’t. The American people seem either to want Bush’s head on a pike, or a standoff between him and Congress. It looks like they’ll be getting one or the other before next summer. Then, while the cat’s preoccupied with all those congressional hearings and subpoenas, the Jihadis can play.

Hysterical? Unwarranted gloom? Maybe. Bruce Bartlett at RealClearPolitics thinks so.

"Indeed, I think that Democratic control of Congress has the potential to rejuvenate Bush’s presidency, just as Republican control gave new life to Clinton’s."

We’ll know in a few months, when the investigations show trials begin.

UPDATE  On the other hand there’s Ralph Peters best-case prediction of what the party of Michael Moore will do. I think he’s way too optimistic. I also don’t see the point of sending more troops, which is not the way to fight an insurgency. But he’s right about the Iraqis having to get off their butts and eliminate Mookie and his thugs.  

Kerry leaves no doubt

The alleged war hero who slandered three generations of American troops, finally drops any pretense and leaves no doubt where he stands.

"It’s all been for this moment…Winning means forcing an end to the disastrous war in Iraq, and getting our heroes home."

Even if they are volunteering to go back again and again because they want to finish it, eh?

Thunderbirds pilot

I grew up in the Air Force and I can safely say that Nicole Malachowski–the woman under the The Troops headline on the top right side of the page this week, and here in the future–is easily the best-looking major I ever saw in Air Force blue. She flies an F-16 with the precision flying team, the only woman on any such team in the armed forces, according to this Air Force Times article.

Tour of Iraq

Kurt Wheeler, history teacher from New York and Marine Corps reserve lieutenant colonel, looks like a good one to follow from his blog posts for the next year.

"ON THE WAY… After nearly four weeks of preparations, I am finally on my way to Iraq. I am writing this entry from a wifi spot in the Chicago airport en route to California."

Via Op-For 

Honor

Austin Bay puts Kerry into perspective.

"Kerry’s ‘stuck in Iraq’ insult is uniquely trans-generational.  It immediately connects with his 1971 ‘Winter Soldier’ slanders where he asserted American troops were committing war crimes through out Vietnam, crimes on par with those of ‘Jing-gis Khan.’ The anti-Vietnam War movement shaped Kerry politically and that decayed fossil still propels him– an ancient addiction he and his cohorts can’t shake. Simultaneously stuck in the past and stuck on stupid, the Junior Senator from Massachusetts has now insulted three generations of American troops."

Then Bay, who lives in Austin, shows why today’s troops aren’t going to take it quietly–and why they shouldn’t.

"In the 1970s they didn’t have the Internet or talk radio to counter-attack the boys and girls in New Mobe and network producers addicted to images of panha(n)dling, socio-pathic Vietnam vets. The troops now have the technology."

So a bunch of Nat’l Guard troops from Minnesota put together a photo and… Good stuff worth a read.